The award of approximately $380,000 reached in settlement between former Newtown Police Officer Thomas Bean and the Town following a State Board of Mediation and Arbitration ruling will be reduced substantially by Social Security disability payments and other possible future earnings, creating a total liability to local taxpayers of no more than $31,156.

Town Human Resources Director Carol Ross told The Newtown Bee on May 21, shortly after the news of the settlement broke, that the state award is offset by Social Security payments, any future earnings and possibly other factors, for example, if the former officer decides to receive pension benefits.

“The net cost to the town is $288.48 per month for nine years,” Ms Ross said.

The long-term disability settlement was ordered for the former officer who left his job after the December 2012 shooting incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The officer, who is now 40 years old, stated that he was unable to continue work as a police officer after having suffered the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder due to the intensity of the incident.

The net payout on the Town’s part was confirmed to The Newtown Bee by Finance Director Robert Tait.